The majority of Expecting to Fly was recorded at Ridge Farm Studios in mid 1995, except for "Talking to Clarry", which was done in late 1995.

[1] Sam Taylor in Q wrote, "Perhaps the most accomplished rock debut album since The Stone Roses in 1989, Expecting to Fly avoids the usual primitive drive of first recordings, in favour of technical brilliance and adventurous songwriting... a classic rock album.

"[6] List journalist Brian Donaldson likened The Bluetones to "a Squeeze for the 90s", and noted that the record has "excellence exhibited throughout".

[8] David Sinclair of Rolling Stone called the album "an accomplished and varied collection of guitar-based tunes with a solid charm rooted in the best traditions of English alternative pop—no more, but certainly no less.

[citation needed] Expecting to Fly entered the UK Albums Chart at number one on first-week sales of 82,000.